Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM45,912 more than the RM248,888 Volvo EC40, yet it brings 282 hp, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and a 500 km range. The Volvo answers with all-wheel drive, 420 Nm and faster 200 kW DC charging, while its RM220 annual road tax undercuts the BMW’s RM305. For a Malaysian buyer who wants a lower, longer five-door with a 470-litre boot and sharper outright numbers, the i4 earns its premium. The EC40 is the more sensible SUV-shaped alternative with a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the quicker 282 hp rear-wheel-drive car, 500 km range and a larger 470-litre boot.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you want all-wheel drive, 200 kW DC charging and a RM45,912 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Volvo EC40 RM248,888.
- Performance: BMW i4 282 hp and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Volvo EC40 235 hp and 7.3 seconds.
- Range and battery: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; Volvo EC40 70 kWh and 488 km.
- DC charging: BMW i4 180 kW; Volvo EC40 200 kW.
- Driveline: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive; Volvo EC40 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Volvo EC40 413 litres.
i4
- 282 hp and 400 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds
- 500 km range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- 470-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split
- RM45,912 dearer to buy
- 180 kW DC charging trails the EC40’s 200 kW
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
EC40
- All-wheel drive with 420 Nm
- 200 kW DC charging and lower RM220 annual road tax
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and fixed glass roof
- 235 hp and 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time trail the i4
- 488 km range is 12 km short of the i4
- 413-litre boot is 57 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM248,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305 | RM220✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp✓ | 235 hp |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh✓ | 70 kWh |
| EV Range | 500 km✓ | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 200 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,185 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 413 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used i4 & EC40 for sale
i4 vs EC40 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Volvo EC40 better?
The BMW i4 is better for performance, range and luggage capacity: it has 282 hp, 500 km range and a 470-litre boot. The Volvo EC40 is better for all-wheel drive, 200 kW DC charging and its five-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM45,912 more than the Volvo EC40. The i4 is RM294,800, while the EC40 is RM248,888.
Which one charges faster?
The Volvo EC40 has the higher DC charging rate at 200 kW, against 180 kW for the BMW i4. Both support 11 kW AC charging.